ground overhung with fog and drip from trees

all light subdued and noise muffled

the lone volunteer pink rose now decimated

replaced by a pale white glory more fitted to the hour

tracks uncharacteristically silent

the railroad corvids yet to convene

until after the train’s blasting rumble

detritus trail their reason to gather

the stream beside the field similarly uninhabited

its usual raft of ducks absent

its murmur now audible without their squawk and paddle

an accompaniment to the huff of my dog

rainbow-hued ribbon of birdsong

curling through branches and along rooftops

a threaded brightness pointing beyond

to the ever-present light of the sun

I followed the talk

the chatter and clack among them all

and saw it unfold from the sodden field

there it was, in stark shades of black and gray

upon the rusted brown rails

themselves the color of old blood and unresolved grudges

not a murder, but something far worse

an unkindness on the tracks

I watched in silence for only a short while

then quietly walked away

taking care that I left unseen, unheard, unnoticed

I had enough regret that weighed me down

my own rude unfriendly acts

that chilled like poison I had given myself

so did not need their critical eyes or sharp attention

my own bitter burden would suffice

this knowledge of my small small heart

let me do better

in the body’s dissolution

when water can no longer sustain

will you miss your tears

they arrived as heralds

for your sorrows, for your joys

for your angers and frustrations

and signified that you lived

salted as the primordial sea

their sting and burn called you back

back to ancient beginnings

back to your original self

back to your corporeal moment

when your time of dying arrives

and the stage of dryness occurs

let all these go

relax in assurance

they are never lost forever

but join in the vast illimitable flow